"Palestinian Dream" campaign raises the Palestinian flag during the Asian Cup (Al Jazeera)

Doha- The 2023 AFC Asian Cup, hosted by Qatar, is witnessing a remarkable presence for Palestine, especially with the ongoing aggression in the Gaza Strip for more than 100 days that left tens of thousands of martyrs, injured and missing, and a humanitarian tragedy.

The Palestinian flag appeared in the stadiums of the tournament and its accompanying events, in addition to expressions of support and solidarity with the Gaza Strip, while the tourist area of "Darb Lusail" witnessed a solidarity stand by fans of "Fidaei" (the Palestinian team) and a number of participating teams at the invitation of the "Palestinian Dream" campaign.

In the sit-in, which coincided with an international movement in some 60 cities around the world, participants chanted for Palestine, demanded an immediate ceasefire, waved Palestinian flags, and gathered at the "Palestine in the Trail" tourist corner of Lusail near the iconic Lusail Stadium, which hosted the final of the last World Cup and is also hosting the final of the current tournament.

Palestinian dream

Under the slogan "A Palestinian Dream", a media and field campaign was launched for the first time at the beginning of the World Cup in Qatar, which sought to invest in international sports forums to introduce the Palestinian cause to fans who came from all over the world.

"Palestinian Dream" returned to launch a set of works, events and invitations during the current tournament, which will continue until the tenth of next February, where the fans of the tournament were invited to raise banners in the stands bearing the phrases "Stop the aggression" and "Freedom for Palestine."

In addition to the vigil at the Lusail Trail, campaigners raised a giant flag of Palestine in the match between Fidaei and his Iranian counterpart at Education City Stadium with the words "Freedom for Palestine" written on it in English.

According to the campaign's media officer, Ahmed al-Qarawi, its activities during this tournament come at an exceptional time that calls for every move that could expose the war of extermination practiced by the occupation and contribute to the immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Speaking to Al Jazeera Net, Al-Qarawi said, "Our work is an extension of what Qatar is doing from the forms of support that we saw during the opening of the tournament and through the giant screens that covered the Palestinian flag and a reminder of the tragedy of Gaza," adding, "We see the positive interaction of the peoples of the world and solidarity with Palestine, and we are required to continue to remind him of what is happening, and push everyone to work to stop the massacres."

"Palestinian Dream" organizes a series of events during the Asian Cup (Al Jazeera)

To support Gaza

Fadi Musallam, one of the campaigners, said that their activities during the tournament come under the central question, "How do we win Gaza in the Asian Cup?" noting that the campaign's actions and invitations vary between activities in the stadium such as raising the Palestinian flag, wearing a keffiyeh, pro-Palestine badges and scarves, as well as cheering for Gaza during the match and raising banners demanding an end to war and freedom for Palestine.

Musallam added that "the other and important form of work required in the street and the corridors of heroism is the continuation of the boycott of goods supporting the Israeli occupation, in addition to friction with the masses from different countries and clarifying the origin of the Palestinian story and the nature of what is happening in Gaza."

Musallam concluded by talking about the importance of investing in the digital aspect to cover solidarity events, saying that "the campaign attracts dozens of influencers and public figures to support their ideas, events and messages."

The campaign intensifies its publication of media materials that include messages from citizens in an Arab and Asian country addressed to Gaza, aiming - according to those in charge of it - "to show the magnitude of the popular incubator for Gaza and the Palestinian resistance, and how the "Al-Aqsa flood" thwarted all scenarios and ambitions of normalization."

The Asian Cup will witness the establishment of 51 matches on 9 stadiums, including 7 World Cups that hosted the last World Cup matches, in which Argentina was crowned, and 24 teams participate in the tournament, including 10 Arab teams.

Source : Al Jazeera